| If the packages are of GPL'ed software, then you (anyone) are within your rights to charge a fee to download the software: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.en.html#DoesTheGPLAllow... Of course, in order to comply with the GPL, you must make the source available as well. Which means, anyone else can turn around and either do the same thing, or even make a copy available for free: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.en.html#DoesTheGPLRequi... If anyone feels strongly enough about these package maintainers charging a fee, they are welcome to pay the fee and then make the packages available free of charge. But, that would be work. Less work than the work done by the original package creator, but still, work. And, many people want to be compensated for their time. Ultimately, as long as the package maintainer charges a reasonable enough fee that the value provided exceeds the relative cost of the fee, then everyone wins. |